A 23-8 scoreline perhaps doesn't do Bryan Redpath's side full justice. From the off, they took the game to their French counterparts and two tries was probably a poor return given their domination.

The whole Gloucester team played with commitment and no little skill. The French rarely offered any problem in attack and the Kingsholm crowd got behind their side delivering a volume few would expect from 10,103.

Biarritz did hang in there and make Gloucester work hard for the win but a victory seemed rarely to be in doubt, a state of affairs that hasn't always been the case at Kingsholm this season.

The team's Heineken Cup hopes may have come to an end this season but the prospect of an Amlin Cup quarter final place will keep everyone focussed for next week's fixture at Newport Gwent Dragons.

It was a bright opening for Gloucester as they moved the ball around from the off. Hooker Scott Lawson buzzed around the field and Akapusi Qera ran over a would be tackler to the delight of the Shed.

Biarritz easily repelled these early attacks, however, and posed a few questions of their own as a few decisions went their way with referee Clancy winning few friends amongst the home support.

Gloucester produced the first real attack of note as Robinson's quick throw gave Fuimaono-Sapolu space to run and his quick hands, together with support from Vainikolo, almost put Tim Molenaar through but the muscular centre couldn't hold on to a sharp pass.

The pressure continued and Robinson kicked an 11th minute penalty to give Gloucester a deserved lead as Biarritz infringed at a ruck.

Gloucester were bristling with intent and ambition backed by a vociferous crowd and, although the visitors' defence was stretched, it was holding firm.

Biarritz, for their part, were keeping it simple. Lineouts were thrown to the front and the rolling maul the main tactic.

However, Gloucester struck on 21 minutes. Alasdair Dickinson burst away from a ruck, rode a tackle and offloaded to the supporting Lesley Vainikolo who sprinted home from the 22m line to score the game's first try. Robinson slotted a lovely conversion for a 10-0 lead.

Vainikolo, in fact, was in rampaging form. Twice more in the next five minutes he was given room to run and Biarritz winger Ngwenya was at full stretch to hold him.

Yes, Biarritz were next on the scoreboard as they benefitted from a couple of marginal refereeing decisions and Courrent kicked an excellent penalty from distance to make the score 10-3.

Gloucester responded well and stayed patient. A nice run around move from Molenaar and Robinson sprung Simpson-Daniel into space and when Qera went to ground, Biarritz killed the ball and kicked the resulting penalty.

The first real negative of the day came as half time approached as flanker Alasdair Strokosch had to be helped off the field with a leg injury with England international Luke Narraway taking his place.

Gloucester very nearly added to their tally as timer ebbed away with Fuimaono-Sapolu and Simpson-Daniel both almost jinking their way through in the heavy conditions but Biarritz held.

An entertaining first half thus came to an end with Gloucester given a great reception by the 10,103 crowd. The side had shown effort, skill and ambition and the crowd had responded.

The second half was eagerly awaited...

The heavens opened during the half time interval to render already damp conditions wetter still and Biarritz tested Gloucester from the off without any success as the home side continued to defend with spirit.

With the pressure duly soaked up, Gloucester moved downfield and Scott Lawson's burrowing run earned a penalty midway between the 22m and 10m lines which Robinson dispatched with ease for a 16-3 lead.

Fuimaono-Sapolu then blew the Biarritz defence apart with a scintillating run from halfway. The visitors were on the rack and Narraway so nearly weaved his way to the line when the ball was recycled but his offload couldn't be taken to deny Gloucester a deserved second score.

The Biarritz scrum was in tatters and Qera thought he'd scored only to be called back for a knock on before the French pack crumbled only for Robinson to drag a kickable penalty wide.

Perhaps emboldened by their escape and, having sent on several replacements, Biarritz proceeded to play some of their best rugby of the game and were only denied their first try by a knock on after some good approach work.

With an hour gone, Biarritz were keeping an admirably disciplined defensive line in place despite Gloucester's efforts to penetrate it and rarely was a tackle missed.

In fact a rare breakaway caused hearts to flutter as Ngwenya chased a kick ahead but Robinson got back to gather and clear.

However, Gloucester made it safe with 15 minutes to go. Fuimaono-Sapolu again carved through in midfield. Vainkolo took the offload and was caught just short of the line but Molenaar was on hand to score his first try for the club. Robinson converted for 23-3.

To their credit, Biarritz didn't roll over but spent several minutes down near the Gloucester line.

Several times they looked to have crossed but proud Gloucester defence kept them at bay until, at last, Imanol Harinordoquy smashed his way over.

Replacement Tranier missed the conversion and that was it for the scoring as Gloucester closed out one of their most impressive and complete performances of the season.